Update on the 3 Different Dermatology Residency Tracks Offered at UTMB for the 2026 Dermatology Match

Applicants should be aware that UTMB Dermatology has decided not to offer a Categorical 2+2 Dermatology Residency in the 2026 NRMP, but instead will offer the same training as an Advanced (PGY2) 2+2 Dermatology Position that will be linked to a PGY1 year in the UTMB Department of Internal Medicine. The total number of years training at UTMB will be 5, that includes the PGY1 year in UTMB Internal Medicine and the 4 year 2+2 UTMB Dermatology Residency Investigative Track. It is listed as Dermatology/IM with the Program Code 1714080A2 in the NRMP.

 

UTMB will also offer 6 Advanced Track positions that are 3 year dermatology residencies that begin in July 2027, but the prerequisite PGY1 year may be taken at UTMB or in other programs.

 

In addition, UTMB will offer 1 Advanced Track position for applicants who will have completed their PGY1 position for the 2+2 UTMB Investigative Track Dermatology Residency that will begin in July 2026.

Stay Shady with DIG: September Hats for the Homeless Event

Thank you to all of our DIG volunteers for helping make our first Hats for the Homeless event of the 2025–2026 school year a success! If you are interested in volunteering at future events, join the Hats for the Homeless email list here: https://forms.gle/CJHPjhXiqf7t9h8v7

Pictured from left to right: Presley Limon (MS3), Suzanne Sajid (MS1), Kassianna Elizondo (MS2 & Stay Shady Chair), and Sarah Muir (MS4).

Recommended Reading for Medical Student Researchers

An article published in Dermatology Online Journal describing article processing charges associated with publishing manuscripts is of value to dermatology researchers interested in publishing their work. This manuscript describes the publication models of many dermatology journals, and can be beneficial for residents and medical students when selecting journals to submit their manuscripts. 

Journal link: https://doi.org/10.5070/D331365374

Community Service Guidelines for DIG Members

DIG members interested in planning community service events must first contact the DIG President and Vice President. All new ideas should be submitted through them before proceeding. 

The Department supports DIG-led educational activities; however:

• Clinical activities such as skin checks are not allowed
• Samples (e.g., sunscreen) cannot be provided
• The Department cannot provide residents or faculty for these events

Thank you for helping promote these guidelines! Please contact Madelyn Schmidt (mlschmid@utmb.edu) or Alekhya Gurram (algurram@utmb.edu) with any questions.

All UTMB Completing Dermatology Residents Achieve American Board of Dermatology Certification

The results of the annual applied American Board of Dermatology Applied Examination (July 2025) were released and all of UTMB completing PGY4 dermatology residents passed the board certification examination on their first attempt. Congratulations!

UTMB Student Published in JAAD

Congratulations to Christopher Thang (MS4) for his publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD)  (Impact Factor: 11.8)! His study investigated cardiovascular safety in non-scarring alopecia patients on low-dose oral minoxidil.

 

Study Link: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(25)02715-X/abstract

 

Reference:

Thang CJ, Levine J, Garate D, et. al. Cardiovascular safety of low-dose oral minoxidil in non-scarring alopecia: a multi-center population-based cohort study using TriNetX. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Article in press.

Veterinary Drug Costs Less than Same Medications for People!

Congratulations to UTMB PGY3 Travis Dowdle, MD for his original recent peer-reviewed publication, “Bridging the cost divide: comparing veterinary and human dermatologic drug pricing in the US.” His UTMB co-authors were MS4 DIG President Madelyn Schmidt and Dermatology Assistant Professor Ayezel Munoz, MD. For further information, please see Dowdle, T. S., Schmidt, M., Remmert, N., & Munoz, A. (2025). Bridging the cost divide: comparing veterinary and human dermatologic drug pricing in the US. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2025.2534312

UTMB MS3 Publishes in SKIN

Congratulations to UTMB MS3 Alekhya Gurram (DIG Vice President) and her co-authors Dr. Mary Cavanagh (UTMB PGY4 Dermatology Chief Resident for Medical Student Research) and Dr. Lindy Ross (UTMB Assistant Professor of Dermatology) on their recent publication titled “Isotretinoin and Hair Loss: A Clinical Perspective and Literature Review” in SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine. 

 

Citation: Isotretinoin and Hair Loss: A Clinical Perspective and Literature Review. J of Skin. 2025;9(5):2584-2593. doi:10.25251/n5hj2f33 

UTMB Student Publishes on Artificial Intelligence

Congratulations to Christopher Thang (MS4) for his book chapter publication in Dermatologic Clinics, which examines applications of AI in dermatology to enhance clinical decision-making, diagnostic and prognostic processes, and health care operations. 

  

Reference: Thang CJ, Duffy C, Khattab S, Semenov YR. The Current State and Future Prospects for Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology. Dermatologic Clinics. 2025 Jul 22.

 

Link: https://www.derm.theclinics.com/article/S0733-8635(25)00040-3/abstract

Welcome back, Dr. Ross!

This week, UTMB Dermatology welcomed back Dr. Lindy Ross, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, who returned to campus following completion of a one year fellowship in Pediatric Dermatology at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. We are all looking forward to working and learning from you again!

UTMB Expands Residency Options for 2026 NRMP (8 Residency Positions Offered)

UTMB Dermatology is offering three types of residency categories to applicants for the upcoming 2026 NRMP. They are:

Advanced (Applicants match for a PGY2 position in Dermatology at UTMB after completing a PGY1 ABD approved clinical year of training, either at UTMB or elsewhere). Six of these 3 year residency positions are available.

Categorical (The matched applicant will complete the PGY1 year in UTMB Internal Medicine and then join the new 2+2 UTMB Dermatology 4 year Investigative Research Track for the residency program). One of these positions will be offered.

Physician Only "R" (applicants who will have completed the required ABD  approved clinical PGY1 will join the new 2+2 UTMB Dermatology 4 year Investigative Research Track as a PGY2 in the residency program). One of these positions will be offered.

UTMB PGY3 Dermatology Resident Publishes Mohs Research in Dermatologic Surgery

Congratulations to UTMB PGY3 dermatology resident Travis Dowdle, MD for his first author original research publication, “National Trends in Repair Type Selection After Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Benchmark Analysis Using TriNetX” in Dermatologic Surgery. His coauthors are UTMB MS4 Madelyn Schmidt (UTMB DIG President), Frank Winsett, MD (Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Associate Program Director of UTMB’s Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship) and Richard Wagner, MD (Professor Dermatology, Dermatology Program Director,and Program Director for  UTMB’s Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship Program). Please see Dermatologic Surgery Dermatol Surg. 2025 Sep 3. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004851. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40899759 for additional information.